Motor # for IMS Research

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by kbcvg

I'm in the market for a Boxster, and the IMS debate is a issue, whether you prefer the cautious or the ostrich view. Currently looking at a nice '06, and the owner has provided me a picture of the motor number, from underneath. It looks like: M96/2662600784. I'm not finding anything that decodes like this. Trying to figure if small or large IMS bearing Any help? Thanks

There is no debate. ANY 2006 car, or engine replaced in 2006 will carry the oversized non serviceable IMS bearing, period.

[kbcvg]

Thank you....that being said, would YOU buy a car with smaller bearing and go the replacement/LN route, or a newer, larger bearing car, and just hope for the best?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by kbcvg

Thank you....that being said, would YOU buy a car with smaller bearing and go the replacement/LN route, or a newer, larger bearing car, and just hope for the best?

Six of one, half dozen of the other. I prefer to install the IMS Solution retrofit (currently have two in my personal stable), but if left with no choice but the oversized bearing, I would pull the trans, clutch, and flywheel and remove the bearing's rear seal so it can mist lubricate from the engine sump.

[kbcvg]

Thanks, kind of the way I was leaning. Now, to find one.......

[husker boxster]

Nothing wrong with the larger IMS. Just be sure you have oil change history and the changes were every 5-8K mi or annually if < 5K mi / yr.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

There is no debate. ANY 2006 car, or engine replaced in 2006 will carry the oversized non serviceable IMS bearing, period.

EPS made a tool to bore out the block so you can replace the oversized bearing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F21suRIQdvM

I am, however, concerned about getting metal shavings inside the block. I sure they have thought of that, but maybe for time compression decided not to show that in the video.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by piper6909

EPS made a tool to bore out the block so you can replace the oversized bearing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F21suRIQdvM

I am, however, concerned about getting metal shavings inside the block. I sure they have thought of that, but maybe for time compression decided not to show that in the video.

Which weakens the cases and gets metal into the engine, and requires you use their flange. Besides which, it is unnecessary as engines running the oversized bearing with the rear seal removed do not suffer failures, so why bother?

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Which weakens the cases and gets metal into the engine, and requires you use their flange. Besides which, it is unnecessary as engines running the oversized bearing with the rear seal removed do not suffer failures, so why bother?

I'm not trying to debate the IMS failure/replacement issue. I've decided not to do mine, and I have a 2002, which has the highest failure rate.

I was just pointing out that, in fact, a company made it possible to service them.

And, I too, am concerned about metal shavings. But I'd be surprised if they don't have a way to address that possibility.

Weakening the case? Well, I don't know that strength is critical at that point. Especially since the hole will be filled in with a flange. Yes, their flange. Because the hole would then be bigger and you need a bigger flange that fits it. And obviously no one else makes it. If they did, I guess you could use their flange too.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by piper6909

I'm not trying to debate the IMS failure/replacement issue. I've decided not to do mine, and I have a 2002, which has the highest failure rate.

I was just pointing out that, in fact, a company made it possible to service them.

And, I too, am concerned about metal shavings. But I'd be surprised if they don't have a way to address that possibility.

Weakening the case? Well, I don't know that strength is critical at that point. Especially since the hole will be filled in with a flange. Yes, their flange. Because the hole would then be bigger and you need a bigger flange that fits it. And obviously no one else makes it. If they did, I guess you could use their flange too.

Porsche uses two bolts hold the case togeather above and below this opening. Some years had so many oil leak complaints coming from around the IMS flange that they released a flange with an updated seal, and recommended replacing the case bolts with longer ones with sealant on the treads. They released a TSB on the subject, referring to movement of the cases due to thin casting in the area.

The company you mentioned also has a similar “fix” for leaking RMS which machines out the case crank opening to accept their proprietary crank seal.

LN has an update “kit” for the cars with the oversized bearings as well, which converts the engine to a serviceable IMS configuration. The engine does have to be disassembled to do the install, but any future service can be done through the factory case opening. No case modifications are involved.

At the end of the day, doing something just because you can is not always a good idea...

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

At the end of the day, doing something just because you can is not always a good idea...

Agreed.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

LN has an update “kit” for the cars with the oversized bearings as well, which converts the engine to a serviceable IMS configuration. The engine does have to be disassembled to do the install, but any future service can be done through the factory case opening. No case modifications are involved.

Split the halves open, take the original bearing out, use a smaller bearing that can be extracted from the existing casing hole, and use some ring or half rings as shims to make a seat for the smaller bearing in the original bearing's hole? Did I guess that right?

[mikefocke]

Any boring has to be super precise to maintain the angle of the crank and/or camshaft to case angle or the pressure on the bearing is likely to be off center creating a ball on race (or whatever design) contact that it was not designed for. So in addition to shavings and bearing selection, you have to worry about precision of machining. Do you have the tools and experience to do it right?

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

At the end of the day, doing something just because you can is not always a good idea...

Wise words, just get that idea out of your head.. :-)

[por356c]

We should all thank God for JFP in PA. Goodness, I don't know how he has the patience for all of us!! He is, without question, the most knowledgeable person on this forum and also reminds us to use good common sense. Thanks Jeff.